Navigating the Missouri Cannabis Market with John Pennington

After a brief hiatus, Karson Humiston returns with an engaging conversation with John Pennington, the co-founder and CEO of Proper Cannabis in Missouri.  John shared his early entrepreneurial spirit, from shoveling driveways as a kid to running a business in high school and college. His transition into the cannabis industry was influenced by his work in real estate and his involvement in building Missouri's largest non-profit methadone treatment center. This experience opened his eyes to the potential of cannabis as a regulated industry.

They discuss the importance o...

State of Cannabis Employment: A Deep Dive into the 2024 Jobs Report

Karson Humiston discuss the release of the Vangst annual cannabis industry 2024 jobs report with  Bruce Barcott, a seasoned writer in the cannabis space, and Beau Whitney, the chief economist at Whitney Economics. The trio share insights into the current state of cannabis employment.

They begin with a sense of optimism as they reveal that the industry has bounced back from a challenging period, adding almost 23,000 new jobs, bringing the total to 440,145 full-time equivalent positions as of early 2024. This marks a 5% year-over-year increase, driven by a...

Crafting the Perfect Smoke: Inside the World of Cannabis Accessories with Bryan Gerber

Karson Humiston welcomes Bryan Gerber, co-founder and CEO, of Hemper and Hara Supply, also known as the "King of Cones." The nickname stems from a Forbes article that highlighted Bryan's success in building a $75 million pre-roll empire. Both Karson and Bryan reminisce about their college days and the realization that they are no longer the young entrepreneurs they once were, with Bryan approaching his 33rd birthday.

Brian recounts the early days of his business, which started when he was 23 years old, shortly...

Behind the Scenes of Cann Beverage: From Startup Struggles to Market Dominance

Karson Humiston is joined by Luke Anderson, co-founder of Cann, where he discusses the journey of founding and growing the company. Initially, Luke reflects on the early days of Cann, highlighting the challenges and milestones of launching a microdose THC beverage in California. He shares insights into the struggles of raising capital, navigating the cannabis industry, and building a strong brand identity.

As the conversation progresses, Luke delves into the pivotal moments and decisions that shaped Cann's trajectory. He talks about the strategic...

"Navigating Highs and Lows with Aaron Miles: Verano's Investment Strategy Unveiled"

In the latest episode of the "Proud to Work in Cannabis" podcast, listeners were treated to an engaging and insightful conversation with Aaron Miles, the Chief Investment Officer at Verano.

Aaron talks to Karson Humiston about his unexpected journey into the cannabis industry, which began with a serendipitous text message while celebrating his 40th birthday in Italy. Despite initial skepticism, Aaron's curiosity about the industry's potential led him to pivot from a traditional corporate path at Pier One Imports to the dynamic world of...

"Navigating the Wild West of California Cannabis: A Founder's Journey"

Live from MJBizCon 2023 in Las Vegas, Karson Humiston is joined by Dave Holmes, founder and CEO of Clade9. The conversation kicks off with a candid discussion about Dave's early exposure to cannabis, starting from a young age due to his older brother's involvement in selling weed. Dave shares how his upbringing around drugs shaped his perspective on the industry.

As the discussion progresses, Dave delves into his journey in the cannabis business, from his initial experiences with cultivation to navigating the evolving legal landscape in...

Petalfast and the Evolution of Cannabis Distribution: A Conversation with Jason Vegotsky

In this episode, CEO of Vangst, Karson Humiston, had the pleasure of sitting down with Jason Vegotsky, the visionary founder of Petalfast, a company that's revolutionizing the cannabis distribution landscape. Jason's journey is a fascinating one, and he shared insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the complex world of cannabis distribution, drawing parallels with the alcohol industry, and his own personal growth as an entrepreneur.

Jason began by giving an overview of Petalfast, a distributor that outsources logistics and warehousing in...

From Challenges to Opportunities: Unpacking the Cannabis Market with Delta Emerald Ventures

Karson Humiston reflects on the recent CannaDataCon conference with the show's organizer, Ian Dominguez, the founder and chief investment officer at Delta Emerald Ventures. The conference, held in Miami, aimed to address the repetitive nature of cannabis conferences and to foster a space for sharing best practices among operators and technologists in the cannabis industry.

Karson describes the conference as intimate and small-scale, with a setting that encouraged mingling and networking among participants. The event saw an increase in attendance from the previous...

Navigating the Highs and Lows of Cannabis Business with Frank Perullo 

Broadcasting live from MJ BizCon in Las Vegas, Karson Humiston had the pleasure of sitting down with Frank Perullo, the co-founder of Ascend Wellness, a name that's become synonymous with success in the cannabis industry.

They dove into a rich conversation about the evolution of the cannabis industry, Ascend's growth, and the challenges and triumphs of being a cannabis entrepreneur. Frank's journey began in 2012 when Massachusetts passed its medical cannabis law. As a political consultant and lobbyist, he saw an opportunity where others hesitated, l...

"Building a Cannabis Business: Persistence, Leadership, and the Rebrand"

Karson Humiston is live from MJBizCon in Las Vegas with and guest Nick Vita, co-founder and CEO of The Cannabist Company (formerly known as Columbia Care), to discuss the journey of building a successful cannabis business. They delve into topics such as the challenges faced in the industry, the importance of persistence and leadership, and the recent rebranding of the company.

The conversation begins with a reflection on the growth and changes in the cannabis industry over the past decade. Nick Vita highlights the momentum and...

Building a Cannabis Giant: Jason's Leap from Pharma to Pot

In this episode of the Proud to Work in Cannabis podcast, host and fellow entrepreneur, Karson Humiston, sits down with Jason Wild, the chairman of TerrAscend one of the large publicly traded company in the cannabis industry. The episode is recorded live from MJBizCon in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The conversation begins with Karson expressing admiration for entrepreneurs and their inspiring stories. She asks Jason to take the listeners back to the beginning of his career and share how he got started. Jason reveals that he...

The National Cannabis Roundtable Discusses Historic Recommendation to Reschedule Cannabis

The team from the National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) joins the Karson Humiston to discuss the recent historic recommendation to reschedule cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. The episode begins with an overview of the background and context of the recommendation, including the previous speculation about the HHS recommendation and the release of hundreds of pages of documents confirming the recommendation.

The NCR team, consisting of Saphira Galoob, Erin Moffet, and David Mangone, provides insights into the significance of the recommendation and its potential impact on the...

From Assistant Store Manager to CEO: The Journey of Matt Darin in the Cannabis Industry

In this episode of the "Proud to Work in Cannabis" podcast, Karson Humiston had the pleasure of interviewing Matt Darin, the CEO of Curaleaf, the largest public cannabis company in the United States. They recorded this episode live at MJBizCon, one of the biggest cannabis conferences in the industry.

Matt shared his journey into the cannabis industry, starting back in 2014 when he read about Illinois passing a medical cannabis law in the newspaper. Intrigued by the potential of the industry...

Vangst Partners with the Cannabis Business Office to Launch a Technical Assistance Program

In this episode, Karson Humiston announces a breaking partnership between Vangst and the Cannabis Business Office to launch a new program. Karson is joined by Emma Howard, the program manager of the Cannabis Business Office, and Tristan Watkins, the Deputy Director for the Business Support Division.

Emma provides an overview of the Cannabis Business Office, which was established in 2021 to provide access to capital and technical assistance programming for social equity cannabis businesses. The office offers grants, loans, and technical assistance programs...

"Creating Economic Mobility in Low-Income Communities: The Urban Upbound Model"

In this episode of the Proud to Work in Cannabis podcast, Karson Humiston is joined by Bishop Mitchell Taylor, the co-founder and CEO of Urban Upbound. They discuss the journey of Urban Upbound, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in public housing neighborhoods. Bishop shares how his father's ministry inspired him to create a movement that addresses the socioeconomic issues faced by residents in public housing.

Bishop explains that Urban Upbound focuses on four key areas: business development, career development, one-on-one financial...

Setting the Stage for MJBizCon 2023: Insider Tips with Jess Tyler

Discover the insider insights you need for MJBizCon 2023 with Jess Tyler, Chief Revenue & Experience Officer at MJBiz, and host Karson Humiston,  CEO & Founder of Vangst’s. Uncover expert tips on navigating the event, including dos, don'ts, and must-see features. Don't miss out on this dynamic episode shaping your MJBizCon experience!

Produce By PodConx

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

MJBizCon - https://mjbizconference.com/

Recorded on Squadcast

S...

How Chelsea Kossower Became PuffCo’s VP of Global Expansion

Dive into the extraordinary journey of PuffCo's success with Chelsea Kossower, who started as Employee #1. From humble beginnings to global expansion, Chelsea's story is a testament to dedication and innovation. Hosted by Karson Humiston, join us for an inspiring adventure in the cannabis industry.

Join host Karson Humiston,  CEO & Founder of Vangst’s in 

Produce By PodConx

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Chelsea Kossower -

PuffCo...

Lessons learned while working for a startup.

 Meet Claire Moloney, the first woman to work in cannabis tech and the first employee at LeafLink. Claire joins Karson Humiston to share her story and discuss her journey as LeafLink's first hire and all of the lessons she has learned along the way. Claire shares advice for other women looking to break into the cannabis industry and shares tips for how to be successful in a rapidly growing startup. 

Produced by PodConx

Proud To Work In Cannabis - https://podconx.com/podcasts/proud-to-work-in-cannabis

Karso...

Unlocking $100 Million Success in Cannabis with Mood CEO David Charles

Embark on a thrilling journey with David Charles as he reveals the incredible ascent of Mood, a Delta-8 cannabis ECommerce powerhouse set to achieve a remarkable $100 million in revenue. Join host Karson Humiston,  CEO & Founder of Vangst’s in unraveling the secrets behind Mood's meteoric rise in the cannabis industry. This is a story of entrepreneurial tenacity and unrelenting commitment to quality and growth. Don't miss this extraordinary episode! 

Produce By PodConx

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Va...

Charting a New Course: Cannabis Legislation's Future Unveiled

Explore the future of cannabis legislation with Saphira Galoob, Executive Director of the National Cannabis Roundtable and host Karson Humiston,  CEO & Founder of Vangst’s. From the recent strides made in SAFE Banking to the potential impact of cannabis rescheduling; discover the key insights shaping the cannabis industry's future in 2023.

Produce By PodConx

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Recorded on Squadcast

Sound Design by Jamie Humiston

Pro...

Unlocking the Cannabis Industry's Secrets with Christine Hogdon

Dive into the intriguing world of cannabis with Christine Hogdon, COO of Highway Cannabis, as she joins host Karson Humiston  the CEO of Vangst.   Discover the hidden secrets behind the high turnover rates in the cannabis industry. Gain insights into leadership, culture, and the journey of thriving amidst challenges.

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Christine Hogdon -https://www.linkedin.com/in/chodgdon/

Highway Cannabis - https://hig...

Hear from the Founder & CEO of Frontier Risk, the sole cannabis technology firm to secure VC funding in 2023. 

Step into the future of cannabis insurance with James Whitcomb, Founder & CEO of Frontier Risk, in this episode hosted by Karson Humiston  the CEO of Vangst.   Explore how Frontier Risk is reshaping the industry, tackling issues like limited capacity and data scarcity. James shares his journey from Wall Street to cannabis, emphasizing resilience in this dynamic field. With optimism for federal cannabis reform, James urges ongoing advocacy. Join Karson and James for invaluable insights into the evolving world of can...

Cannabis Rescheduling: Economic Boom or Bust? Expert Insights Revealed!

Host Karson Humiston  the CEO of Vangst, dives into the Health and Human Services’ recent letter to the DEA recommending that cannabis gets reschedule to Schedule III with cannabis industry experts Jeremy Berke Founder, CEO & Chief Editor at Cultivated News, and Beau Whitney, Chief Economist at Whitney Economics. They explore the significance of moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III and its potential economic and regulatory impacts. Discover the outlook for the cannabis industry in this pivotal moment.

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - ht...

Cannabis Trailblazer: Soc's Journey from Military to Jane Technologies

Karson Humiston the CEO of Vangst,  delves into Socrates Rosenfeld's remarkable odyssey from military service, where he flew Apache helicopters, to becoming the visionary force behind Jane Technologies in the cannabis industry. Discover how Socrates's journey unfolds, blending military precision with cannabis innovation

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Socrates Rosenfeld - https://www.linkedin.com/in/socratesrosenfeld/

Jane Technologies - https://www.iheartjane.com/

...

A Milestone Episode with Kyle Sherman, CEO & Founder of FlowHub

Join host Karson Humiston the CEO of Vangst, as she celebrates 50 episodes, featuring special guest, Kyle Sherman, CEO & Founder of FlowHub. Journey through FlowHub's evolution, challenges, and triumphs as a pioneering cannabis tech company. Explore how Kyle's visionary leadership transformed struggles into profitable success. Embrace the transformative power of the cannabis industry's potential. Tune in now!

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Kyle Sherman - https://www.l...

Unveiling Miss Grass: A Cannabis Brand Journey with Kate Miller

Dive into the captivating journey of Kate Miller, CEO & Founder of Miss Grass, as she unveils the secrets behind building a powerhouse cannabis brand. Discover her evolution, community empowerment, fundraising tactics, and more. Don't miss this insightful podcast episode with host Karson Humiston on the Proud to Work in Cannabis. Tune in now!

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Kate Miller - https://www.linkedin.co...

Inside GlassHouse's Cannabis Revolution: A Journey from Seed to Ashtray

Uncover the remarkable journey of Graham Farrar, President & Chief Cannabis Officer at GlassHouse, as he shares insights with host Karson Humiston. Join the cannabis industry's evolution, unity, and transformative strides. Tune in and be part of the thriving cannabis community!

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Graham Farrar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamfarrar/

GlassHouse - https://glasshousebrands.com/

Pr...

Learn from the Nancy Whiteman the CEO behind North America's best-selling cannabis gummies, as she spills the trade secrets to cash-flow success and navigating mega-acquisitions. Join Karson Humiston in this mind-blowing episode as she delves into the extraordinary journey of a cannabis game-changer. Buckle up for an eye-opening ride into the future of the cannabis landscape. 

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Nancy Whiteman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-whiteman-0a4783/

Wana  Brands - http...

The Story of How Brett Gelfand is Making Debt Collections Cool

Join host Karson Humiston in a captivating episode with Brett Gelfand, Founder & Managing Partner at CannaBIZ Collects, the first-ever full-service collections agency devoted to the cannabis industry. Discover how Brett's entrepreneurial journey paved the way for innovative debt collection solutions, ensuring dollar gains for cannabis businesses and transforming debt woes into dollar gains.

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Brett Gelfand - https://www.linkedin.com/i...

Karson Humiston  the CEO of Vangst, hosts an eye-opening episode featuring Beau Whitney, Chief Economist at Whitney Economics, and Jeremy Berke, Founder of Cultivated News. They delve into the detrimental effects of 280E on the cannabis industry, discussing the challenges faced by businesses and the urgent need for federal taxation reform. Discover the bleak reality of profitability, the cultural impact, and the potential solutions that can pave the way for a thriving cannabis industry.

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

...

Discover the inspiring journey of Wendy Bronfein and Rebecca Bronfein Raphael, the sisters behind Curio Wellness, as they share their success story in the Maryland cannabis market, including their instrumental role in the launch of the state's adult-use market. Join them and host Karson Humiston  the CEO of Vangst, for an inside look at how these dynamic sisters are making waves in the industry.

Produced by PodConx  

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Wendy Bronfein - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wbronfein/

In this captivating episode hosted by Karson Humiston  the CEO of Vangst, dive into the success story of Missy Bradley, the Co-Founder and Head of Marketing & Sales at Ripple. Explore how Missy's entrepreneurial spirit propelled Ripple to become a dominant force in the cannabis industry. Gain insights into their innovative products, marketing challenges, and their vision for continued growth in this evolving market.

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Ripple - https://tryripple.com/

Missy Bradley - https://www.linkedin.co...

Tracy Brady Sets the Record Straight on Multi-State Operators in Cannabis

Tracy Brady, Senior VP of Global Communications at Curaleaf, debunks myths about multi-state operators (MSOs) in the cannabis industry. She joins Karson Humiston the CEO of Vangst to share her journey and emphasizes the power of storytelling. Tracy discusses navigating challenges, crisis communication, and fostering internal communication. She highlights the positive contributions of MSOs and advocates for federal-level progress. Join Tracy's episode on Vangst's podcast, "Proud to Work in Cannabis," to gain insights into the evolving industry and its potential.

Karson Humiston...

Insights into the Current State of Cannabis From Todd Harrison's Perspective

In this episode of Proud to Work in Cannabis, host Karson Humiston interviews Todd Harrison, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer at CB1 Management. They discuss Todd's journey into the industry, the Mission [GREEN] campaign, insights into the current state of the cannabis industry, and his optimistic outlook for the future. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Todd Harrison - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-harrison-487268/<...

Unleashing the Power of Cannabis – Charlie Bachtell’s Journey of Social Impact, Entrepreneurship, and Advocacy

Join host Karson Humiston, CEO & Founder of Vangst, as she sits down with special guest Charlie Bachtell, CEO & Founder of Cresco Labs. Discover Charlie's inspiring journey into the cannabis industry, his passion for social impact, and his insights on driving the industry forward. Don't miss this empowering episode!

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Charlie Bachtell - 

Cresco Labs -

Recorded on Squa...

CEO Michael Johnson on shifting perceptions while improving compliance processes.

Join Karson Humiston, CEO & Founder of Vangst, in an intriguing conversation with Metrc's CEO, Mike Johnson. Discover how Metrc is transforming compliance, shifting negative perceptions, and becoming a crucial partner for cannabis businesses. Gain valuable insights into the evolving industry and explore Metrc's journey towards frictionless compliance. Get credentialed in Metrc's Trace & Trace systems today on Vangst Learn.

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

Vangst - https://vangst.com/

Michael Johnson - https://www.linkedin.c...

Changing the Game – How 1906 is Redefining the Cannabis Industry

Join Peter Barsoom,, CEO & Founder of 1906, as he walks through the groundbreaking journey of building one of the cannabis industry’s fastest growing edibles  companies.  

With host Karson Humiston, this episode of Proud to Work in Cannabis is filled with insight into building one of the cannabis industry’s most successful brands, and an inside look at the highs, lows, and oh-f moments in between. Get an exclusive inside look at the remarkable story of building 1906.

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ka...

Want to Know How Native Roots Transforms Cannabis Retail? Tune in to This Week's Episode of Proud to Work in Cannabis

We’re back with another exciting interview! This week, host Karson Humiston interviews Denise DeNardi, Chief Sales Officer at Native Roots Cannabis Co. Denise shares her journey into the cannabis industry, discusses transforming retail experiences, and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive employee training. Get valuable insights into the evolving cannabis landscape and discover opportunities in this dynamic field. Tune in now!

Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/

V...

Insights from Karan Wadhera, Managing Partner at Casa Verde on Thriving in a Dynamic Business Landscape

In this week's episode of Proud to Work in Cannabis, hosted by Karson Humiston, CEO & Founder of Vangst’s, special guest Karan Wadhera, managing partner at Casa Verde, shares his journey from leaving his investment banking job in Asia to becoming a successful venture capitalist in the cannabis industry. He talks about his experience working with Snoop Dogg, growing Casa Verde from its early days to its current success, and provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs in the regulated cannabis industry.

...

Jennifer Fisher, Co-Chair of the cannabis practice at Goodwin, a leading law firm in San Francisco, and Vangst’s personal lawyer, joins Karson Humiston. She discusses her background in handling complex cases for highly regulated industries, Jen shares her journey into the cannabis industry and her passion for supporting resilient clients. 

Learn about the challenges and opportunities of financing rounds, raising capital, and conducting due diligence in the cannabis space. Discover valuable advice for new cannabis companies, including the importance of clean corporate documents, sound finances, and staying updated with government regulations. Don't miss this insightful episode wit...